[0001] The invention relates to a conveyor mat for conveying products in a conveying direction
between at least two divert wheels, comprising a number of rows of side-by-side modules
succeeding each other in the conveying direction and extending transversely to the
conveying direction, which modules, viewed in conveying direction, each have their
front and rear sides provided with hinge loops, the hinge loops of said successive
rows of modules cooperating and being coupled by means of hinge pins extending transversely
to the conveying direction, such that the top faces of the modules together constitute
a conveying face, into which conveyor mat a number of guide modules are incorporated
which have their bottom side provided with guide members for cooperation with at least
one guide provided on a conveying track.
[0002] Such conveyor mats are known and are used for conveying all types of products in
a large number of different environments. The conveyor mat often constitutes an endless
belt traveling around between two groups of divert wheels, the conveying face being
supported by a conveying track. Usually, the conveyor mat is built up from a large
number of plastic modules which are each manufactured by injection molding. During
manufacture of the modules, a certain measure of difference between the dimensions
of the plastic modules must be allowed for, due to differences in shrinkage or differences
between the different mold cavities present in a mold for the purpose of injection
molding. In addition, the loop thickness of a module is always less than the space
between two loops, to allow the modules to interfit, as a result of which these modules
already have a certain play relative to each other during assembly of the conveyor
mat. During use, this play may even increase due to wear and stretching of the modules.
[0003] Because of this play, the modules of the conveyor mat can slide relative to each
other. This inter alia results in a possible width variation of the conveyor mat due
to the modules of a row sliding in and out transversely to the conveying direction.
Further, because of this, the rows of modules of the conveyor mat may slide back and
forth relative to the conveying track, between a position in which either one outer
module or the other outer module of a row is located adjacent a lateral edge of the
conveying track. In the worst case, this may already cause a width variation of 1%.
[0004] In practice, this causes various problems. For instance, the lateral edge of the
conveyor mat may rub along a lateral edge of the conveying track, which may lead to
wear of and damage to the modules located adjacent the edges of the conveyor mat.
This increases the chance of breakage of the conveyor mat. The conveyor mat may be
entirely located along one side of the conveying track or zigzag along both lateral
edges of the conveying track. Another problem caused by the play between the modules
and the rows of the conveyor mat sliding back and forth, is that in practice, the
width over which the conveyor mat can be loaded with products must be chosen to be
less than the nominal width of the conveyor mat, while the conveying track must be
chosen to the greater than the nominal width of the conveyor mat. In particular in
the case of long conveying tracks, this may result in high additional costs and substantial
loss of space.
[0005] To reduce the above problems, it has already been proposed to incorporate into a
conveyor mat, adjacent its two lateral edges, modules whose bottom sides are provided
with guide projections, each for cooperating with a wear strip extending adjacent
a lateral edge of the conveying track. Such a conveyor mat is known from US 5,327,248.
One guide projection prevents movement of the conveyor mat in one transverse direction,
while the other guide projection prevents movement in the opposite transverse direction.
The distance between the guides is selected so that during placement of the conveyor
mat on the conveying track, the play in width direction is precisely removed.
[0006] In particular, US 5,327,248 describes a flexible conveyor mat according to the preamble
of claim 1 whose lateral sides comprise guide modules designed as end modules. The
guide modules are incorporated into the conveyor mat in such a manner that the guide
members thereof form two guide tracks, each extending adjacent a lateral side of the
conveyor mat. The guide members comprise a substantially hook-shaped part which, in
a bend, can engage below a guide provided on a guide track, to prevent the conveyor
mat from moving up during travel around a bend. The guide members further comprise
a substantially block-shaped guide projection which, relative to the hook-shaped part,
is located more towards the center of the conveyor mat. The guide projection is intended
to cooperate with the guide, in particular when traveling around a bend. One guide
projection impedes movement of the conveyor mat in one transverse direction, while
the other guide projection prevents movement in the opposite transverse direction.
[0007] However, when the play transverse to the conveying direction becomes too great, the
effect of such construction becomes lost. In particular, due to the increased play
between the wear strip and the guide projection, movement in transverse direction
will no longer be sufficiently prevented. In addition, because of the difference in
dimensions of the modules, the distance between the guide members of the guide modules
may vary per row. This is particularly the case when the rows of the conveyor mat
comprise a large number of modules, as in a wide conveyor mat. Further, such a construction
cannot be used when the conveyor mat is exposed to substantial changes of temperature
and the conveyor mat is built up from modules manufactured from a material having
a relatively great coefficient of thermal expansion, such as plastic.
[0008] In US 5 372 248, the guide modules are thus incorporated in the mat to form
two guide tracks extending along both lateral edges of the mat. Such an arrangement does
not always allow for sufficient lateral movement of the modules and runs the risk
of either becoming jammed or providing insufficient guidance.
[0009] DE 296 11 470 discloses a conveyor mat wherein the guide modules are arranged in
the mat such that their notch-like guide members are aligned in conveying direction.
These guide members block lateral movement of the conveyor mat in one direction only
and hence do not form a guide track blocking lateral movement in both lateral directions.
[0010] The above problems play a role in particular when a wide conveyor mat built up from
plastic modules is subjected to substantial changes of temperature, as in the case
where by means of such conveyor mat, products are pasteurized in a pasteurizer. In
a usual pasteurizer, products are slowly conveyed over a conveying track by means
of a conveyor mat, while the temperature of the products is gradually increased to
at least 80°C in order to kill bacteria present in the products. The conveyor mat
has a width that may run up to more than 5 m and a length that may run up to more
than 40 m. The great width of the conveyor mat, the substantial changes in temperature
and the great coefficient of thermal expansion of plastic (about 0.15 mm/m/°C), much
greater than that of the stainless steel from which the frame of a pasteurizer is
made, render the above-mentioned guide construction unsuitable for this application.
Instead, the conveying track must be of an extra wide design and be arranged in a
very flat position. For the sake of safety, guide blocks are provided adjacent the
lateral edges of the conveying track. Such a construction leads to high extra costs
and substantial loss of space. Moreover, because of the length of a pasteurizer, sometimes
more than 40 m, the lateral guides cannot be made from one piece, which may cause
an uneven transition. Finally, pasteurizers are completely inaccessible during operation,
so that dragging or jamming of a mat can only be detected on be basis of damages to
the mat; at that point, however, it is already too late to take measures to "save"
the mat.
[0011] The object of the invention is to provide a conveyor mat, in particular conveyor
mat built up from plastic modules for conveying products through a pasteurizer, wherein
the above drawbacks are avoided.
[0012] To that end, a conveyor mat according to the invention is characterized by the features
in the characterising portion of claim 1.
[0013] It is thus provided that the distance between the guide members transverse to the
conveying direction is small, which limits the impact of the tolerances and the expansion
or shrinkage due to changes of temperature, on the action of the guide. Hence, the
conveyor mat can also be guided effectively in the case of substantial play and/or
great thermal expansion, which results, inter alia, in a considerable reduction of
the difference between the width of the conveying track and the width of the conveying
face over which products can be conveyed. This result in a gain of space and a saving
on costs.
[0014] It is observed that in this context, the phrase "substantially equally spaced from
one of the lateral edges thereof" should at least be understood to mean that the difference
in distance from the guide members to the lateral edge in successive modules is less
than 10% of the width of the conveyor mat, preferably less than 5%. In an advantageous
embodiment, the difference in distance between the guide members transverse to the
conveying direction is less than or equal to the width of an average module of the
conveyor mat.
[0015] In a further embodiment, a conveyor mat according to the invention is characterized
in that the guide modules are included in the conveyor mat adjacent a lateral edge
of the conveyor mat, such that the guide members together constitute a slotted guide
track extending adjacent the lateral edge of the conveyor mat. It is thus provided
that the position of one lateral edge of the conveyor mat relative to the conveying
track is substantially fixed, while expansion can be taken up by movement to or from
the other lateral edge of the conveyor belt. This is advantageous in particular when
the lateral edge of a conveyor mat is to be accurately positioned, such as when two
conveyor belts have to run with their lateral edges in close side-by-side relationship
to enable transferring products from one conveyor mat onto the other, transversely
to the conveying direction.
[0016] In another embodiment, a conveyor mat according to the invention is characterized
in that the guide modules are incorporated into the conveyor mat in or adjacent the
center of the conveyor mat transverse to the conveying direction, such that the guide
members together constitute one slqtted guide track extending in or adjacent the center
of the conveyor mat. It is thus provided that in or adjacent the center, the conveyor
mat has a fixed width position relative to the conveying track. This has the advantage
that the maximum distance through which the outer modules slide due to play and/or
expansion, is less. In particular in the case of wide conveyor mats subjected to a
great weight load, such as a conveyor mat built up from plastic modules for conveying
products through a pasteurizer, this may result in a considerable load and/or wear
reduction. It is further achieved that the conveyor mat is always located at the center
of the conveying track, which reduces the chance of wear of and damage to modules
located adjacent the edges of the conveyor mat. Moreover, the guides along the edges
of the conveying track may be of smaller design or may even be left out. A further
advantage is that the track on the lateral edge of the mat need not be machined so
as to be smooth and flowing, since the mat can no longer touch these lateral edges.
This is of great practical importance, because it substantially simplifies the design
of a pasteurizer. As the position of the mat is now fixed from the center with a lateral
play of, for instance, ± 2 mm, only the variation in the mat width of ± 1%, due to
changes of temperature, must be taken into account, and not the lateral displacement
due to width variation that is already present during assembly of the mat. Also, the
flatness of the conveying track is less critical. Finally, the lateral guides for
the products may be placed further outwards, creating a gain of 2-3% of the usable
mat surface area.
[0017] It is observed that in this context, the phrase "in or adjacent the center of the
conveyor mat" should at least be understood to mean that the guide modules, measured
from the center of the conveyor mat, are off-center by a distance of less than 25%
of the width of the conveyor mat, in particular less than 5% of the width. In this
regard, it should also be observed that in practice, because of the modular construction
of the conveyor mat and/or the arrangement of the divert wheels on the conveying track,
it may be advantageous to incorporate the modules into the conveyor mat in such a
manner that the guide track extends slightly off the center of the conveyor mat.
[0018] The invention also relates to a conveying apparatus.
[0019] Further elaborations of advantageous embodiments of the conveyor mat and conveying
apparatus according to the invention are described in the subclaims. The invention
will be specified with reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in the accompanying
drawings. In these drawings:
Fig. 1 is a schematic, perspective view of a conveying track;
Fig. 2 is a schematic, perspective bottom view of a part of a conveyor mat according
to the invention in a first embodiment;
Fig. 3 shows a schematic cross section of a conveying track for a pasteurizer having
a conveyor mat according to the prior art;
Fig. 4 shows a schematic cross section of a conveying track for a pasteurizer having
a conveyor mat according to a second embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 5 is a schematic, perspective bottom view of a part of a conveyor mat according
to Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a schematic, perspective bottom view of a guide module of the conveyor mat
according to Fig. 4;
Fig. 7 is a schematic bottom view of a part of the conveyor mat according to Fig.
4;
Fig. 8 is a schematic, perspective bottom view of an alternative embodiment of the
guide module according to Fig. 6; and
Fig. 9 is a schematic bottom view of the guide module of Fig. 8.
[0020] The Figures are schematic representations of preferred embodiments of the invention
and only serve as illustrations. In the Figures, identical or corresponding parts
are designated by the same reference numerals.
[0021] Fig. 1 shows a conveying track 1 having an endless conveyor mat 4 extending between
driving and returning groups of divert wheels 2 and 3 respectively, for conveying
products in a conveying direction 5 indicated by an arrow.
[0022] The conveying track 1 comprises a frame 6 disposed on legs 7. Accommodated in the
frame 6 are a driven shaft 8 and a free, bearing-mounted shaft 9 on which the driving
divert wheels 2 and the returning divert wheels 3 are placed transversely to the conveying
direction 5 and with mutual distances in between. Provided between the divert wheels
2, 3 are wear strips 10 extending parallel in conveying direction 5, via which wear
strips the conveyor mat 4 rests on the frame 6.
[0023] Referring to Fig. 2, the conveyor mat 4 comprises a number of rows of plastic modules
11 located side by side, succeeding each other in conveying direction 5 and extending
transversely to the conveying direction 5. Viewed in conveying direction 5, the modules
11 each have their front sides 12 and rear sides 13 provided with hinge loops 14.
The hinge loops 14 of modules 11 succeeding each other in conveying direction 5 cooperate
and are coupled by means of hinge pins extending transversely to the conveying direction
5, not visible in the Figure. In Fig. 2, only a small portion of the width of the
conveyor mat is shown, for the sake of the scale.
[0024] In the conveyor mat 4, at an equal distance from the lateral side 21A of the conveyor
mat 4, there are included a number of guide modules 11A whose bottom sides 15 are
provided with guide members 16, such that the guide members together constitute one
narrow guide track 17 extending in conveying direction 5.
[0025] In this embodiment, there is included on one lateral edge of the conveyor mat, the
lateral edge 21A, one guide module 11A in every other row of modules in conveying
direction 5. The guide members 16 comprise, per guide module 11A, two projections
18 extending outwards from the bottom side 15 of the guide module 11A, which projections
each cooperate with one wear strip 10A. The projections 18 are positioned between
two parallel wear strips of the conveying track 1, such that of each of the projections
18, a guide face 19A and 19B impedes displacement of a wear strip in a transverse
direction through cooperation with a corresponding guide face 20A and 20B respectively.
Transverse to the conveying direction 5, the distance between the guide members 16,
in this embodiment the projections 18, is less than the width of the modules 11, which
limits the influence of the play and the expansion or shrinkage due to the changes
of temperature on the action of the guide. In this embodiment, the position of the
lateral edge 21A of the conveyor mat 4 transverse to the conveying direction 5 is
substantially fixed, so that two conveyor belts 4 can be positioned with their lateral
edges 21A close together to enable transferring products transversely to the conveying
direction 5 from one conveyor mat 4 to the other. Play and expansion can be taken
up through displacement towards or from the other lateral edge 21B, not shown in the
Figure, of the conveyor belt 4.
[0026] Referring to Fig. 3, a conveying track 1 is shown therein, in cross section, for
pasteurizing products in a pasteurizer having a conveyor mat according to the prior
art. The conveying track 1 has a length of about 20 m and supports an endless conveyor
mat 4 built up from plastic modules 11. The conveyor mat has a nominal width of 4
m and a length of about 40 m. The conveyor mat 4 comprises an upper part 31 on which
the products can be placed and a lower part 32 to enable forming the conveyor mat
into an endless loop. The upper part 31 and the lower part 32 each move perpendicularly
to the plane of the drawing, yet in opposite directions.- The upper part 31 is supported
by the wear strips 10 of the frame 6, while the lower part 32 is supported by support
rollers 33.
[0027] Adjacent the ends of the conveying track 1, the conveyor mat is diverted by means
of divert wheels 2, 3 not shown in Fig. 3. Between the divert wheels 2, 3, the conveyor
mat 4 travels through a number of zones where water having per zone a different temperature
is sprayed onto the conveyor mat 4 for pasteurizing the products on the conveyor mat
4. The temperature of the water in the different zones may for instance change according
to the pattern 40-60-80-60-40 °C, so that the conveyor mat 4 between the divert wheels
undergoes a difference in temperature of 60°C.
[0028] Per minute, for instance 25 1 water can be sprayed per m
2 of track surface area. The conveying track 1 has at least a portion of its length
provided with a tunnel-shaped encasing, of which only the sidewalls 34 are shown in
Fig. 3. The conveying track 1 conveys the products at a speed of 0.5-1 m/s and has,
for instance, a capacity of about 30-70,000 packages per hour.
[0029] Because of the great width of the conveyor mat, the great variation in temperature
and the great coefficient of thermal expansion of plastic (about 0.15 mm/m/°C), no
guide construction is used in the prior art. Instead, the conveying track 1 is of
extra wide design and arranged in a very flat position. For the sake of safety, guide
blocks 35 are arranged adjacent the lateral edges 21 of the conveying track 1. Further,
product guides 36 are provided.
[0030] Referring to Fig. 4, a conveying track 1 is shown therein in cross section, for pasteurizing
products in a pasteurizer having a conveyor mat provided with a guide according to
the invention. Provided adjacent the center 41 of the conveyor mat 4 are modules 11A
having guide members 16 cooperating with a guide 10A, such that the guide members
16 together constitute one guide track 17 extending adjacent the center 41 of the
conveyor mat 4. As a result, the conveyor mat 4 has, in width direction, a fixed position
relative to the conveying track 1.
[0031] It can be calculated that, compared with a conveying track according to the prior
art having a width of, for instance, 4 m,.in the mat according to the invention, if
a coefficient of thermal expansion of 0.15 mm/m/°C and a ΔT of 60°C is started from,
the effective width, i.e. the distance between the two product guides 36, can chosen
to be greater by 160 mm, i.e. by 4%. In other words, for a fixed effective width,
a conveying track according to the invention may have a construction which is narrower
by 4%.
[0032] Moreover, the maximum distance through which the outermost modules 11B slide, due
to play and/or expansion, is less. Of a group of divert wheels 2 or 3 (see Fig. 1),
the central divert wheel is secured on the shaft 8, 9, while the other divert wheels
from the group 2 or 3 can slide along the shaft 8, 9 upon expansion of the conveyor
mat 4.
[0033] In addition, the conveyor mat 4 is always located at the center of the conveying
track 1, which reduces the chance of wear of and damage to modules located adjacent
the edges of the conveyor mat. Further, the guide blocks 35 can be omitted. Also,
the flatness of the conveying track 4 is less critical. Finally, in a conveying track
according to the invention, it is an advantage that the central drive and support
wheels no longer need to be secured on both shafts to prevent displacement of the
mat, as in the conveying track according to the prior art (Fig. 3). In a conveying
track according to the invention, all wheels can slide loosely on the shaft, because
the guide members prevent the mat from sliding.
[0034] Fig. 4 also shows a guard 43. Here, the guard 43 is designed as two plates of Z-shaped
section, extending perpendicularly to the plane of the drawing on either side along
the conveying track 1. By means of such guard 43, dirt, in particular abrasive dirt,
is prevented from being taken along by the water from the lateral edge of the upper
part 31 to the lower part 32. This reduces the chance of damage to the divert wheels
3 when the lower part 32 travels around them. It is observed that such a guard 43
can be constructed in many ways and may also be advantageously applied to, conventional
conveying tracks and pasteurizers.
[0035] Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, in a preferred embodiment of the conveyor mat 4, the
guide members 16 are designed as two guide walls 42A and 42B spaced apart transversely
to the conveying direction and extending parallel in conveying direction. The distance
by which the guide walls 42A and 42B are spaced apart is less than the width of the
guide module 4A. The guide walls 42A and 42B project outwards from the bottom side
of the guide module 11A and cooperate with a wear strip 10A extending between guide
walls 42A and 42B. Preferably, the guide members 42A and 42B together form one channel
50 extending adjacent the center 41 of the conveyor mat 4 in conveying direction 5,
which channel has substantially continuous channel walls 51A and 51B (Fig. 5). This
has the advantage that the guide surface area cooperating with the wear strip 10A
is large, permitting the force that can be transferred to be likewise great. Further,
the chance of dirt ending up between the guide member and the wear strip is smaller.
This is important in particular in an environment where abrasive particles occur,
such as during pasteurization of glass bottles in a glass pasteurizer.
[0036] The lengths of the guide walls 42A and 42B in conveying direction 5 are different
in the guide module 11A shown in Fig. 6. It is thus provided that when the modules
11 are incorporated into the conveyor mat in the brickstone pattern according to Fig.
7, only one type of guide module 11A is necessary to form a guide track, designed
as guide channel 50, having continuous channel walls 51A and 51B.
[0037] In two guide modules 11A incorporated into rows succeeding each other in conveying
direction, at least one of the guide walls 42A, 42B is provided with a beveled end
face 61 extending outwards from the bottom side of the module and towards the center
of the guide module 11A. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the guide wall
42A has both its end faces provided with a bevel. It is thus provided that the guide
walls 42A and 42B release space for successive guide modules 11A for moving towards
each other with their bottom sides 15, which facilitates the travel of the conveyor
mat around a divert wheel of a slight diameter.
[0038] Referring to Fig. 8, another embodiment of a guide module 11A is shown therein. In
this structural variant, two guide walls 81A and 81B are provided, which, viewed in
conveying direction, have substantially equal lengths and are staggered in conveying
direction. In this structural variant, when the brickstone pattern shown in Fig. 7
is applied, it is also possible to form a continuous guide channel 50 by means of
one type of guide module 11A.
[0039] Fig. 9 shows that the guide modules 11A are provided with through openings 91 extending
substantially transversely to the conveying plane. The guide members 16, in this embodiment
the guide walls 81A and 81B, extend outwards from the bottom side 15 of the guide
modules 11A such that they leave clear the through openings 91 and perpendicular continuations
thereof. It is thus provided that during use of the conveyor mat 4 in a pasteurizer,
the flow of water through the conveyor mat 4 is impeded as little as possible. Further,
the guide walls 81A and 81B are provided, adjacent their end faces 92, with curvatures
93 to facility engagement with the guide 10A.
[0040] It is observed that the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described
hereinabove. Many variants thereof are possible.
[0041] For instance, the guide may also be designed as a guide rod. In addition, the conveying
track may also comprise wear strips extending according to a herringbone-shaped pattern,
while in or adjacent the center of the conveying track, or, respectively, adjacent
the edge, there is included a guide or wear strip extending in conveying direction,
for guiding the guide members.
[0042] Further, the guide members may also be designed as grooves projecting inwards relative
to the bottom sides of the guide modules, for instance U-shaped or V-shaped grooves.
If desired, the guide projections of guide modules succeeding each other in conveying
direction may be arranged on either side of a guide, so that the guide projections
of guide modules succeeding each other in conveying direction in each case impede
movement of the conveyor mat in an opposite transverse direction. In that case, the
guide track is formed by two parallel rows of projections located adjacent each other.
[0043] These and other structural variants are understood to be within the framework of
the invention as represented in the following claims.
1. A conveyor mat (4) for conveying products in a conveying direction (5) between at
least two divert wheels (2, 3), comprising a number of rows of side-by-side modules
(11, 11a) succeeding each other in the conveying direction (5) and extending transversely
to the conveying direction (5), which modules (11, 11a), viewed in conveying direction
(5), each have their front (12) and rear (13) sides provided with hinge loops (14),
the hinge loops (14) of said successive rows of modules cooperating and being coupled
by means of hinge pins extending transversely to the conveying direction (5), such
that the top faces of the modules (11, 11a) together constitute a conveying face in
the conveyor mat (4), into which conveyor mat (4) a number of guide modules (11a)
are incorporated which have their bottom side (15) provided with guide members (16)
for cooperation with at least one guide provided on a conveying track the guide modules
(11a) being incorporated into the conveyor mat (4) so as to be substantially equally
spaced from one of the lateral edges (21a, 21b) thereof, characterized in that the difference in distance between the guide members (16) transverse to the conveying
direction is less than or equal to the width of an average module of the conveyor
mat, such that guide walls (19a, 19b; 42a, 42b; 81a, 81b) of the guide members (16)
together constitute one narrow guide track (17) extending in conveying direction (5).
2. A conveyor mat (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide modules (11, 11a) each comprise two guide walls (19a, 19b; 42a, 42b; 81a,
81b) projecting from the bottom side (15) of the guide modules (11a).
3. A conveyor mat (4) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the guide modules (11, 11a) are incorporated into the conveyor mat (4) adjacent a
lateral edge (21a, 21b) of the conveyor mat (4), such that the guide walls (19a, 19b;
42a, 42b; 81a, 81b) of the guide members (16) together constitute one slotted guide
track (17) extending adjacent the lateral edge of the conveyor mat (4).
4. A conveyor mat (4) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in thatthe guide modules (11, 11a) are incorporated into the conveyor mat (4) in or adjacent
the center (41) of the conveyor mat (4) transversely to the conveying direction (5),
such that the guide walls (19a, 19b; 42a, 42b; 81a, 81b) of the guide members (16)
together constitute one slotted guide track (17) extending in or adjacent the center
(41) of the conveyor mat (4).
5. A conveyor mat (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each row includes at least one guide module whose bottom side (15) is provided with
at least one guide projection (18) acting as guide member.
6. A conveyor mat (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide members (16) together constitute one channel (50) extending in conveying
direction (5) and having substantially continuous channel walls (51a, 51b) for cooperation
with a guide provided on the conveying track.
7. A conveyor mat (4) according to claim 6, characterized in that the guide members (16) comprise two guide walls (42a, 42b; 81a, 81b) spaced apart
transversely to the conveying direction (5) and extending parallel to the conveying
direction (5), such that the guide walls (42a, 42b; 81a, 81b) of guide modules (11,
11a) succeeding each other in conveying direction (5) form the channel walls (51a,
51b).
8. A conveyor mat (4) according to claim 7, characterized in that the guide walls (81a, 81b) are staggered in conveying direction (5).
9. A conveyor mat (4) according to claim 7, characterized in that the lengths of the guide walls (42a, 42b; 81a, 81b) differ in conveying direction
(5).
10. A conveyor mat (4) according to any one of preceding claims 7-9, characterized in that at least one of the guide walls (42a, 42b; 81a, 81b) of two modules (11, 11a) succeeding
each other in conveying direction (5) is provided with a beveled end face (92) extending
outwards from the bottom side (15) of the module and towards the center (41) of the
module.
11. A conveyor mat (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the modules (11, 11a) are provided with through openings (91) extending substantially
transversely to the conveying plane, and that the guide members (16) project outwards
from the bottom side (15) of the modules (11, 11a) such that they leave clear the
through openings (91) and perpendicular continuations thereof.
12. A conveying apparatus, comprising a conveyor mat (4) according to any one of claims
1-10 and a conveying track extending in a conveying direction (5) for supporting the
conveyor mat (4), said conveying track further comprising at least one guide (10a
extending in conveying direction (5) for guiding the guide members (16) of the conveyor
mat (4).
1. Fördermatte (4) zum Fördern von Produkten in einer Förderrichtung (5) zwischen mindestens
zwei Umlenkrädern (2, 3), mit einer Anzahl von Reihen nebeneinanderliegender Module
(11, 11a), die aufeinander in Förderrichtung (5) folgen und sich quer zur Förderrichtung
(5) erstrecken, wobei die Module (11, 11a) in Förderrichtung (5) gesehen jeweils an
ihrer Vorder- (12) und Rückseite (13) mit Gelenkösen (14) versehen sind, wobei die
Gelenkösen (14) der aufeinanderfolgenden Reihen von Modulen zusammenwirken und durch
Gelenkstifte miteinander verbunden sind, die sich quer zur Förderrichtung (5) erstrecken,
so daß die Oberseiten der Module (11, 11a) zusammen eine Förderfläche in der Fördermatte
(4) bilden, in welcher eine Anzahl von Führungsmodulen (11a vorgesehen sind, deren
Unterseite (15) mit Führungsteilen (16) zum Zusammenwirken mit wenigstens einer auf
einer Förderbahn vorgesehenen Führung versehen ist, wobei die Führungsmodule (11a)
in der Fördermatte (4) derart vorgesehen sind, daß sie im wesentlichen gleich von
einem der Seitenränder (21a, 21b) beabstandet sind, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Unterschied im Abstand zwischen den Führungsteilen (16) quer zur Förderrichtung
kleiner oder gleich der Breite eines durchschnittlichen Moduls der Fördermatte ist,
so daß Führungswände (19a, 19b; 42a, 42b; 81a, 81b) der Führungsteile (16) zusammen
eine schmale Führungsbahn (17) bilden, die sich in Führungsrichtung (5) erstreckt.
2. Fördermatte (4) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Führungsmodule (11, 11a) jeweils zwei Führungswände (19a, 19b; 42a, 42b; 81a,
81b) aufweisen, die von der Unterseite (15) der Führungsmodule (11a) vorstehen.
3. Fördermatte (4) nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Führungsmodule (11, 11a) in der Fördermatte (4) nahe einem Seitenrand (21a, 21b)
der Fördermatte (4) derart vorgesehen sind, daß die Führungswände (19a, 19b; 42a,
42b; 81a, 81b) der Führungsteile (16) zusammen eine geschlitzte Führungsbahn (17)
bilden, die sich neben dem Seitenrand der Fördermatte (4) erstreckt.
4. Fördermatte (4) nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Fördermodule (11, 11a) in der Fördermatte (4) in oder nahe der Mitte (41) der
Fördermatte (4) quer zur Förderrichtung (5) vorgesehen sind, so daß die Führungswände
(19a, 19b; 42a, 42b; 81a,81b) der Führungsteile (16) zusammen eine geschlitzte Führungsbahn
(17) bilden, die sich in oder nahe der Mitte (41) der Fördermatte (4) erstreckt.
5. Fördermatte (4) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß jede Reihe wenigstens ein Führungsmodul aufweist, dessen Unterseite (15) mit wenigstens
einem Führungsvorsprung (18) versehen ist, der als Führungsteil wirkt.
6. Fördermatte (4) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Führungsteile (16) zusammen einen Kanal (50) bilden, der sich in Förderrichtung
(5) erstreckt und im wesentlichen durchgehende Kanalwände (51a, 51b) zum Zusammenwirken
mit einer auf der Führungsbahn vorgesehenen Führung aufweist.
7. Fördermatte (4) nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Führungsteile (16) zwei Führungswände (42a, 42b; 81a, 81b) aufweist, die quer
zur Förderrichtung (5) beabstandet sind und sich parallel zur Förderrichtung (5) erstrecken,
so daß die in Förderrichtung (5) aufeinanderfolgenden Führungswände (42a, 42b; 81a,
81b) der Führungsmodule (11, 11a) die Kanalwände (51a, 51b) bilden.
8. Fördermatte (4) nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Führungswände (81a, 81b) in Förderrichtung (5) versetzt sind.
9. Fördermatte (4) nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Längen der Führungswände (42a, 42b; 81a, 81b) in Förderrichtung (5) verschieden
sind.
10. Fördermatte (4) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 7-9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß wenigstens eine der Führungswände (42a, 42b; 81a, 81b) zweier einander in Förderrichtung
(5) folgender Module (11, 11a) mit einer schrägen Endfläche (92) versehen ist, die
sich von der Unterseite (15) des Moduls nach außen und in Richtung auf die Mitte (41)
des Moduls erstreckt.
11. Fördermatte (4) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Module (11, 11a) mit Durchgangsöffnungen (91) versehen sind, die sich im wesentlichen
quer zur Förderebene erstrecken, und daß die Führungsteile (16) von der Unterseite
(15) der Module (11, 11a) nach außen ragen, so daß sie die Durchgangsöffnungen (91)
und senkrechte Verlängerungen derselben frei lassen.
12. Fördervorrichtung mit einer Fördermatte (4) nach einem der Ansprüche 1-10 und einer
sich in einer Förderrichtung (5) erstreckenden Förderbahn zum Stützen der Fördermatte
(4), wobei die Förderbahn ferner wenigstens eine Führung (10a) aufweist, die sich
in Förderrichtung (5) erstreckt, um die Führungsteile (16) der Fördermatte (4) zu
führen.
1. Tapis transporteur (4) pour acheminer des produits dans une direction de transport
(5) entre au moins deux roues de déviation (2, 3), comprenant un certain nombre de
rangées de modules juxtaposés (11, 11a) se succédant les uns les autres dans la direction
de transport (5) et s'étendant transversalement à la direction de transport (5), lesquels
modules (11, 11a) vus dans la direction de transport (5), ont chacun leurs faces avant
(12) et arrière (13) équipées de boucles d'articulation (14), les boucles d'articulation
(14) desdites rangées successives de modules coopérant et étant couplées au moyen
d'axes d'articulation s'étendant transversalement à la direction de transport (5),
de telle sorte que les faces supérieures des modules (11, 11a) forment ensemble une
face de transport dans le tapis transporteur (4), dans lequel tapis transporteur (4)
sont incorporés un certain nombre de modules de guidage (11a) dont la partie inférieure
(15) est équipée d'éléments de guidage (16) pour coopérer avec au moins un guide situé
sur une glissière de transport, les modules de guidage (11a) étant incorporés dans
le tapis transporteur (4) de telle sorte à être espacés de manière sensiblement égale
à partir de l'un des bords latéraux (21a, 21b) de celui-ci, caractérisé en ce que la différence en distance entre les éléments de guidage (16) transversalement par
rapport à la direction de transport est inférieure ou égale à la largeur d'un module
moyen du tapis transporteur, de telle sorte que des parois de guidage (19a, 19b ;
42a, 42b ; 81a, 81b) des éléments de guidage (16) forment ensemble une glissière de
guidage étroite (17) s'étendant dans la direction de transport (5).
2. Tapis transporteur (4) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que les modules de guidage (11, 11a) comprennent chacun deux parois de guidage (19a,
19b, 42a, 42b, 81a, 81b) se projetant à partir de la partie inférieure (15) des modules
de guidage (11a).
3. Tapis transporteur (4) selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que les modules de guidage (11, 11a) sont incorporés dans le tapis transporteur (4) adjacents
à un bord latéral (21a, 21b) du tapis transporteur (4), de telle sorte que les parois
de guidage (19a, 19b ; 42a, 42b ; 81a, 81b) des éléments de guidage (16) forment ensemble
une glissière de guidage à fentes (17) s'étendant de façon adjacente au bord latéral
du tapis transporteur (4).
4. Tapis transporteur (4) selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que les modules de guidage (11, 11a) sont incorporés dans le tapis transporteur (4) au
centre ou près du centre (41) du tapis transporteur (4) transversalement à la direction
de transport (5), de telle sorte que les parois de guidage (19a, 19b ; 42a, 42b ;
81a, 81b) des éléments de guidage (16) forment ensemble une glissière de guidage à
fentes (17) s'étendant au centre ou près du centre (41) du tapis transporteur (4).
5. Tapis transporteur (4) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que chaque rangée comprend au moins un module de guidage dont la partie inférieure (15)
est équipée d'au moins une projection de guidage (18) agissant comme élément de guidage.
6. Tapis transporteur (4) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que les éléments de guidage (16) forment ensemble un canal (50) s'étendant dans la direction
de transport (5) et ayant des parois de canal sensiblement continues (51a, 51b) pour
coopérer avec un guide situé sur la glissière de transport.
7. Tapis transporteur (4) selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que les éléments de guidage (16) comprennent deux parois de guidage (42a, 42b, 81a, 81b)
écartées transversalement à la direction de transport (5) et s'étendant parallèlement
à la direction de transport (5), de telle sorte que les parois de guidage (42a, 42b,
81a, 81b) des modules de guidage (11, 11a) se succédant dans la direction de transport
(5) forment les parois de canal (51a, 51b).
8. Tapis transporteur (4) selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que les parois de guidage (81a, 81b) sont en quinconce dans la direction de transport
(5).
9. Tapis transporteur (4) selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que les longueurs des parois de guidage (42a, 42b, 81a, 81b) diffèrent dans la direction
de transport (5).
10. Tapis transporteur (4) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes 7-9,
caractérisé en ce qu'au moins une des parois de guidage (42a, 42b, 81a, 81b) de deux modules (11, 11a)
se succédant dans la direction de transport (5) possède une face d'extrémité biseautée
(92) s'étendant vers l'extérieur depuis la partie inférieure (15) du module et vers
le centre (41) du module.
11. Tapis transporteur (4) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que les modules (11, 11a) possèdent des ouvertures traversantes (91) s'étendant sensiblement
transversalement au plan de transport, et en ce que les éléments de guidage (16) se projettent vers l'extérieur depuis la partie inférieure
(15) des modules (11, 11a) de telle sorte qu'ils libèrent les ouvertures traversantes
(91) et les prolongements perpendiculaires de celles-ci.
12. Appareil de transport, comprenant un tapis transporteur (4) selon l'une quelconque
des revendications 1-10 et une glissière de transport s'étendant dans une direction
de transport (5) pour supporter le tapis transporteur (4), ladite glissière de transport
comprenant en outre au moins un guide (10a) s'étendant dans une direction de transport
(5) pour guider les éléments de guidage (16) du tapis transporteur (4).